The All Blacks will punt on Brodie Retallick's fitness, taking the lock to his third Rugby World Cup despite a knee injury sustained during the weekend's Bledisloe Cup clash.
All Blacks great Richie McCaw announced New Zealand's 33-man squad for France on Monday night, with Caleb Clarke and Leicester Fainga'anuku also included.
There was no room for the All Blacks' tryscorers against Australia at the weekend, with Shaun Stevenson and Samipeni Finau overlooked.
Ethan Blackadder, who suffered a calf injury last month, and Braydon Ennor, who hurt his knee in the 23-20 win, also missed out due to injury, as did Joe Moody.
However, coach Ian Foster and his selection panel decided to take Retallick, with their medical team assessing him as suffering a six-week knee injury - with the tournament fewer than five weeks away.
"We're not 100 per cent sure whether (his return) will be round one, round two of the World Cup," Foster said.
"But we really believe that he's earned his selection and can manage that."
The squad was unveiled in Napier, the regional city chosen by New Zealand Rugby as a way to give back to the community which was devastated by Cyclone Gabrielle in February.
When Retallick's name was read aloud to the crowd of fans, he received the biggest roar of all any of the All Blacks selected.
"Maybe because I'm the only one from Hawke's Bay," he joked.
"It's not ideal timing and yes it's a little bit sore," he said of his injury, which will rule him out of the opener with favourites France.
"Hopefully I'll be available for the second pool game. I'll miss maybe two games, three at worst. I have to follow their plan and hope that it goes to the timeline."
Foster, who will also take Brad Webber, Samipeni Finau and George Bell as train-on players for the next fortnight, has placed a premium on experience in his squad.
The squad has a combined 1493 caps, from Sam Whitelock's 145 Tests to the most inexperienced, back-up halfback Cam Roigard, who has just one.
Whitelock will play at his fourth tournament, while Retallick, Aaron Smith, Beauden Barrett, Codie Taylor, Dane Coles and captain Sam Cane will head to their third.
A suite of players were also at the 2019 World Cup, while 17 are making their debut on the game's greatest stage.
The All Blacks are bidding to recapture the trophy won by South Africa in Japan four years ago, and in doing so, stand alone as the only four-time men's world champion.
History would suggest All Blacks will struggle: only one of their previous three titles were earned at tournaments not hosted by New Zealand.
NEW ZEALAND RUGBY WORLD CUP SQUAD
Hookers: Dane Coles, Samisoni Taukei'aho, Codie Taylor
Props: Ethan de Groot, Tyrel Lomax, Nepo Laulala, Fletcher Newell, Ofa Tu'ungafasi, Tamaiti Williams
Locks: Scott Barrett, Brodie Retallick, Tupou Vaa'i, Samuel Whitelock
Loose forwards: Sam Cane (c), Shannon Frizell, Luke Jacobson, Dalton Papali'i, Ardie Savea,
Halfbacks: Finlay Christie, Cam Roigard, Aaron Smith
Flyhalfs: Beauden Barrett, Damian McKenzie, Richie Mo'unga
Midfield: Jordie Barrett, David Havili, Rieko Ioane, Anton Lienert-Brown
Outside backs: Caleb Clarke, Leicester Fainga'anuku, Will Jordan, Emoni Narawa, Mark Telea
